Franklin Boukaka (born François Boukaka on October 10, 1940, in Brazzaville, French Congo, now the Republic of the Congo) was a pioneering Congolese baritone singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Recognized as a significant figure in Congolese popular music, he was also a noted poet, composer, activist, and freedom fighter.
Born into a musical family—his father, Aubin Boukaka, was in the ensemble “La Gaieté,” and his mother, Yvonne Ntsatouabaka, was a singer—Boukaka began his musical career early. He performed in a succession of bands based in both Brazzaville and Léopoldville (now Kinshasa), moving between the two Congos. His early groups included Sexy Jazz, Sympathic Jazz, Negro Band, African Jazz/Jazz African, and Vox Africa. In 1962, he returned to Brazzaville to join Cercul Jazz, where he eventually became the leader.
Boukaka's music evolved from the standard themes of "love and nature" to encompass social commentary and outspoken political stances. A proponent of anti-colonialism and African unity, he was a socialist who used his art as a weapon for change and justice. In 1967, he left Cercul Jazz to pursue a solo career, touring internationally and recording in Paris.
A highlight of his career was his 1970 album, which featured arrangements and accompaniment by the legendary Manu Dibango. His most famous songs include "Le Bûcheron" (often known as "Aye Africa"), a lament on the state of post-independence Africa, and "Les Immortels," which honored African and world revolutionaries and martyrs like Patrice Lumumba and Che Guevara.
Franklin Boukaka's life was tragically cut short. Due to his political activism and alleged involvement in a failed coup in Congo-Brazzaville, he was extrajudicially executed in Brazzaville around February 23–24, 1972, at the age of 31. His powerful, politically engaged music left a profound and lasting legacy on African music and culture.